Tyler Douse, 22, found his calling at Oklahoma Baptist University, OBU, in Shawnee, OK. Tyler just graduated in May with a degree in Political Science.

                “Over my four years of college, I started to see the role politics play in our everyday lives,” Tyler said. “And how significant politics really are.”

                Although Tyler says he doesn’t know why he decided to study Political Science, he now feels like he is a part of history. During his last year of college, Tyler got the opportunity to intern at Barack Obama’s Senate office in Washington D.C. From August 2007 to January 2008, Tyler helped with Obama’s campaign. He got to be a part of the beginning of the Countdown to Change Rallies and also went to New Hampshire to canvass for Obama’s campaign.

                When Sen. Hillary Clinton gave her support to Sen. Obama earlier this month, Tyler said he felt as if he had won the nomination.

                “That night I kept getting text messages and emails, it was almost like I had won. All my friends were congratulating me,” Tyler said.

                He knows first hand how difficult the road to the White House is but Tyler has faith that Sen. Obama can make the journey. Tyler says he believed Obama would be the next President from day one of his candidacy.

                “Here comes a guy that tells you that life can be better. Together we can accomplish more; together we can be better as a country. And that’s rare,” Tyler said.

                 Tyler said he hopes to go back to Washington D.C someday and start a career. However, for now he is staying in Oklahoma to get a master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma. Since he has been back in Oklahoma, Tyler has been working on another campaign. He is working for State Senator Andrew Rice. Rice is running for the U.S. Senate seat against incumbent Sen. Jim Inhofe.

                Tyler says Rice has a very interesting story. Rice is 35 years old and it wasn’t until September 11th, that he really got involved in politics, Tyler said. Rice’s brother was killed in the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Tyler says Rice is a great example of why young people should get involved in government.

                “I hear [Rice] talk all the time when we travel,” Tyler said. “He talks about, all through his college years he didn’t really know about politics. He didn’t realize the impact they have on our everyday lives until his brother was killed. Until the decisions our government made after that, and how they affected everyone’s lives.”